FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Law Office of Bahar Karbakhsh-Ravari – Immigration & Legal Services



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Law Office of Bahar Karbakhsh – Immigration & Legal Services, Markham, Canada

⚖️ About Our Law Office

Q: Where is your office located?
We are a registered Canadian law office based in Markham (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario. All of our consultations are conducted virtually (via Zoom, Google Meet) so we can assist clients across Canada and around the world efficiently and securely.

Q: Who regulates your law office?
We are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) — the governing body for all licensed lawyers and paralegals in Ontario, Canada.
The LSO ensures lawyers follow strict rules of professional conduct, trust-account management, and client-fund protection.

You can verify our lawyer’s license directly in the Law Society of Ontario Directory by searching “Bahar Karbakhsh-Ravari.”

Q: What is the Law Society of Ontario?
The LSO is an independent regulator created by statute to protect the public interest.
It monitors the competence, honesty, and financial integrity of every lawyer in Ontario through mandatory audits, continuing-education requirements, and a public complaint process.

💰 About Payments and Trust Accounts

Q: How does a law-office trust account work?
When you pay for legal services, your funds are first deposited into our Law Office Trust Account, held at a Canadian chartered bank.
This account is regulated and audited by the Law Society of Ontario.
Funds remain your property until services are provided or expenses are incurred. Only then can we transfer the corresponding amount to our operating account.

If a client ends a file early, the unused balance is returned less amounts invoiced.

Q: Are my funds protected if I live outside Canada?
Yes. All client funds in trust are covered by the Law Society of Ontario Compensation Fund, which protects clients (including those abroad) against any loss due to dishonesty or misappropriation by a lawyer.
It’s one of the strongest client-protection systems in the world.

Q: How can I make a payment?
We accept the following secure payment methods:

  • E-Transfer (for clients with Canadian bank accounts)
  • Credit Card (via secure online invoice)
  • International Wire Transfer (for international accounts)
  • PayPal (for international clients)

All payments are acknowledged with a written receipt confirming that funds were received into our trust account.

💬 Consultations and Legal Process

Q: Why is a paid consultation required before starting a case?
Every case is unique. A paid consultation allows the lawyer to review your situation carefully, confirm your eligibility, and provide professional advice before any commitment or document submission.
This protects you from misinformation and ensures that any next steps are legally sound.

Q: What happens during the consultation?
You’ll meet directly with Ms. Bahar Karbakhsh-Ravari ( LL.B., LL.M., Q. Med) via video call.
We’ll review your immigration goals, background, and documents, then outline your best legal options, fees, and timelines.
If you choose to retain our services, a service contract will be provided to you and a retainer will be required to employ our services.

Q: Do you use agents or middlemen?
No. All communication and legal work are done directly by our law office in Toronto, regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
We do not authorize third-party “representatives” or outside agents to collect fees or handle cases.

🌍 For Clients Outside Canada

Q: I live outside Canada. Can I still hire your firm?
Yes. We regularly represent clients from around the world through secure virtual consultations and digital document exchange.
All agreements, payments, and updates are handled electronically, in full compliance with Canadian legal standards.

Q: How can I verify that your office is legitimate?
You can:

  1. Check our lawyer’s profile in the Law Society of Ontario Directory.
  2. Visit our verified Google Business Profile (“Law Office of Bahar Karbakhsh – Markham”).
  3. Request a short introductory video call to meet our team before sending any payment
  4. Visit our Social Media Accounts:

📺 Instagram Videos:

Our Services

Helping You Navigate Canadian Immigration Law with Clarity and Care

🛂 Visitor Visa Applications

Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) allows you to travel to Canada for tourism, family visits, or short-term business.

Main Criteria:

  • A valid passport and travel history.
  • Proof of ties to your home country (family, employment, property, or studies).
  • Proof of financial ability to cover your stay.
  • A clear reason for visiting (invitation letter, travel plan, etc.).
  • Evidence you’ll leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

We help prepare strong, well-organized applications and detailed legal submissions to address officer concerns before they arise.

📺 Instagram Videos:

🎓 Study Permit Applications (College & University)

We assist international students who have been accepted to Canadian institutions and need to secure their study permits.

Main Criteria:

  • A Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Proof of tuition payment and funds for living expenses.
  • Evidence of genuine intent to study and return home after completion.
  • Supporting family or sponsor documents (if applicable).
  • Clear explanation of career goals and how Canadian education fits into them.

Our firm drafts tailored study-plan letters, reviews documentation for consistency, and provides full application representation to IRCC.

❤️ Spousal Sponsorship & Family Reunification

We represent Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsoring their spouses, common-law partners, or dependent children for immigration to Canada.

Main Criteria:

  • Genuine and ongoing relationship (supported by documents, photos, communication history).
  • Legal eligibility of the sponsor (no recent sponsorship bars, financial stability).
  • Clear evidence of cohabitation or marriage recognized under Canadian law.

We guide both the sponsor and the applicant through every step — from document preparation to final decision — ensuring full compliance with immigration regulations.

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⚖️ Judicial Review at the Federal Court of Canada

If your immigration application has been unfairly refused, you have the right to challenge that decision through Judicial Review before the Federal Court.

Common Scenarios:

  • Unjust or unreasonable refusal of visa or permit.
  • Procedural errors or lack of fairness by IRCC or a visa officer.
  • Delay or inaction on a pending file (Mandamus applications).

Our law office prepares the Notice of Application, legal arguments, and supporting affidavits with the precision expected in federal litigation — giving you a fair chance to have your case reconsidered.

🚫 Challenging Visitor Visa Refusals

A visitor visa refusal can be disheartening — but it can often be challenged.

Options We Can Pursue:

  • Requesting reconsideration directly from the visa office if new evidence arises.
  • Filing a Judicial Review application at the Federal Court for unfair or unreasonable refusals.
  • Providing a refusal analysis report to identify weaknesses in the original submission before reapplying.

We ensure your next steps are strategic, supported by strong legal reasoning and full documentation.

📺 Instagram Videos:

🧾 Work Permits (Currently Not Taking New Cases)

At this time, our office is not accepting new work permit applications, due to ongoing uncertainty in processing times and cost fluctuations within the federal system.
We continue to monitor updates and will resume these services when conditions stabilize.

🕊️ Refugee Protection Applications

For individuals facing danger and persecution our office provides full representation for refugee claims.

Typical Grounds:

  • Fear of persecution based on religion, gender, political opinion, or ethnicity.
  • Risk to life or safety if returned to home country.

We combine compassionate listening with legal precision to ensure each client’s story is presented clearly, respectfully, and in full accordance with Canadian law.

📺 Instagram Video:

🤝 Mediation Services

Our office also provides professional mediation for individuals, families, and organizations who prefer to resolve conflicts through dialogue instead of litigation.
Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and focused on practical solutions.

Areas Covered:

  • Workplace or professional conflicts
  • Civil and community disagreements

We guide participants toward understanding and compromise — saving time, cost, and emotional stress compared to court proceedings.

Learn more about our mediation process here: Mediation Services – Law Office of Bahar Karbakhsh

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🍁 Permanent Residency (PR) Applications

Becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada is one of the most important milestones in an immigrant’s journey — granting the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, access healthcare, and eventually apply for citizenship.
Our law office helps clients identify the best pathway to permanent residency based on their education, work experience, family status, and humanitarian considerations.

Main Pathways to Permanent Residency

1. Express Entry System

A point-based federal program that selects skilled workers for immigration under:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

Main Criteria:

  • Minimum one year of skilled work experience (inside or outside Canada).
  • Language proficiency in English or French (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF).
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees.
  • Sufficient settlement funds.
  • A competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Our firm assists in assessing eligibility, improving CRS scores, and preparing complete, legally sound submissions for IRCC.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Each Canadian province can nominate individuals who wish to settle in that region and contribute to its economy.
We help clients identify and apply to suitable PNP streams based on their professional background and settlement goals.

Main Criteria:

  • Relevant work experience aligned with provincial labour needs.
  • Intention to reside in that province.
  • Sufficient funds to establish and support oneself.
  • Meeting the province’s unique nomination criteria.

Once nominated, applicants can apply for PR through IRCC under the Express Entry or non-Express Entry streams.

3. Family Sponsorship (Spousal, Parents, Children)

If you have family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they may be eligible to sponsor you for permanent residency.

Our firm provides full representation for:

  • Spousal Sponsorships
  • Parent/Grandparent Sponsorships
  • Dependent Child Sponsorships

We ensure all evidence of relationship, financial eligibility, and supporting documentation meet IRCC’s strict standards.

4. Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds

For individuals already living in Canada who face exceptional hardship if required to leave, we prepare Humanitarian and Compassionate applications with sensitivity and precision.

Typical Circumstances:

  • Strong establishment in Canada (long-term residence, employment, education).
  • Family ties and best interests of children.
  • Health concerns or risk upon return to home country.

We build detailed submissions supported by affidavits, community letters, and legal argument under Section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

5. Refugee Protection and Permanent Residence

Approved refugee claimants in Canada become eligible to apply for Permanent Residence after their protection decision is finalized.
Our office assists protected persons in completing PR applications and adding eligible family members for reunification.

Why Choose Our Office for PR Applications
  • Direct representation by a Canadian-licensed lawyer (Law Society of Ontario).
  • Bilingual services (English–Farsi) for international and local clients.
  • Transparent process, clear fee structure, and secure trust-account payments.
  • Guidance from eligibility to final confirmation of permanent residency.

We handle each application as a life-changing opportunity — ensuring accuracy, compliance, and personal attention every step of the way.

📜 Additional Questions Clients Often Ask

Q: Do you guarantee visa or immigration approval?
No legitimate law office can guarantee an approval. We provide honest, professional representation based on your specific eligibility and current immigration policies.

Q: How will I receive updates about my case?
You’ll receive regular updates by email. We keep every client informed at each stage and provide copies of submissions or IRCC correspondence for transparency.

Q: How is my personal information protected?
We follow Canadian privacy laws and professional confidentiality standards. All client records are encrypted, stored securely, and never shared with third parties without your consent.

💡 Still Have Questions?

You can reach us anytime through:

📧 info@mediatorandlawyer.com
📞 WhatsApp Business:  1-647-693-7400.
🌐 www.mediatorandlawyer.com/contact

Instagram: @canadian.immigrationlawyer
Facebook: @mediatorandlawyer
Youtube:@canadian.immigration.lawyer
TikTok: @immigrationlawcanada
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahar-karbakhsh

 

Privacy Policy – Law Office of Bahar Karbakhsh

The personal information you provide in this form will be used solely to respond to your inquiry, assess your immigration matter, and contact you regarding legal services.
Your information is stored securely and is not shared, sold, or disclosed to third parties without your consent, except where required by law.
For full details on how we protect your information, please contact us at: info@mediatorandlawyer.com or visit our website.